Midterm elections could shape the final two years of President Trump's term

Americans are voting in midterm elections that will determine control of the House and Senate as President Donald Trump enters the last two years of his administration. Economic concerns dominate the campaign, with many voters citing rising food, fuel and fertilizer prices that they attribute to tariffs and the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Trump has been traveling to traditionally Republican states such as Iowa and Kansas, holding rallies and urging supporters to "pretend" he is on the ballot. Campaign spending by Republicans in these states has increased sharply, prompting analysis that the party is on the defensive. > "When they start spending hard American dollars on political advertising in a state that they should be winning, that's how you know that they think they're in trouble," said Carrie Dann, managing editor of the Cook Political Report.

Polls show Trump's approval rating around 38 percent, while only about 29 percent of voters view the Democratic Party positively. Despite frustration over the cost of living, many Republican voters say they remain aligned with the party's values. > "One dollar more on gas is not going to change what we believe in," said Tim McKinnon, a Republican voter in Iowa.

Democratic strategists see the elections as an opportunity to expand influence in traditionally Republican regions. > "This represents an opportunity, really, for Democrats to expand a lot of their influence, not just in terms of numbers, but in terms of perception of where they can compete," said Stephen Hawkins of the pollster More in Common.

Both parties are also looking ahead to the 2028 presidential race, assessing whether shifting voter attitudes in states like Texas, Ohio and Michigan could reshape future contests. The outcome of the midterms will serve as a key test of President Trump's ability to maintain legislative support and will influence the political landscape leading up to the next presidential election.